HLA and red blood cell antigen genotyping in SARS-CoV-2 convalescent plasma donors.

More data is required regarding the association between HLA allele and red blood cell (RBC) antigen expression in regard to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 susceptibility. ABO, RhD, 37 other RBC antigens and HLA-A, B, C, DRB1, DQB1 and DPB1 were determined using high throughput platforms in 90 Caucasian convalescent plasma donors. The AB group was significantly increased (1.5×, p = 0.018) and some HLA alleles were found to be significantly overrepresented (HLA-B44:02, C05:01, DPB104:01, DRB104:01 and DRB107:01) or underrepresented (A01:01, B51:01 and DPB1*04:02) in convalescent individuals compared with the local bone marrow registry population. Our study of infection-susceptible but non-hospitalized Caucasian COVID-19 patients contributes to the global understanding of host genetic factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity.